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Best medical laboratory assistant certifications
The best certifications for a medical laboratory assistant are Medical Assistant, Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).
Medical laboratory assistant certifications demonstrate your competency as a medical laboratory assistant to employers. However, not all medical laboratory assistant certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best medical laboratory assistant certifications. Obtaining a medical laboratory assistant certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
13 best certifications for medical laboratory assistants
| Rank | Medical laboratory assistant certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medical Assistant | ASPT |
| 2 | Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) | NHA |
| 3 | Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) | American Red ... |
| 4 | Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant (CMLA) | NHA |
| 5 | Medical Laboratory Assistant | AMT |
| 6 | Registered Medical Assistant | APA |
| 7 | Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) | NREMT |
| 8 | Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT(AAB)) | AAB |
| 9 | Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) | NHA |
| 10 | Patient Care Technician | APA |
| 11 | Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (NHA) | NHA |
| 12 | Nationally Certified Medical Office Assistant (NCMOA) | NCCT |
| 13 | Certified EKG Technician (CET) | NHA |
13 best medical laboratory assistant certifications
1. Medical Assistant
The medical assistant job description varies depending on the employer's needs. A medical assistant is a multi-skilled professional and an asset to a physician.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
2. Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)
A Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) draws blood from patients or donors in hospitals, blood banks, or similar facilities for analysis or other medical purposes.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
3. Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)
Train to be a certified nurse assistant working with other health care professionals to provide quality care for elderly or sick individuals in nursing homes and hospitals and at home.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
4. Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant (CMLA)
The Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant is one of NHA's National Certification Examinations that is designed for only healthcare school graduates and medical professionals. To be elibible you must be a graduate of a healthcare training program, or have 1 or more years of full time job experience.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
5. Medical Laboratory Assistant
This multi-skilled practitioner performs, or assists in performing, clinical laboratory tasks as regulated by law, administrative tasks, and select tasks involving patient contact. Quality improvement, safety, procedural accuracy, knowledge of regulatory practice standards are defining aspects of this practitioner's role.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
6. Registered Medical Assistant
Registered Medical Assistant : EDUCATION or Experienced 1. Completion of an Approved Medical Assistant Program 2. Minimum of 200 Hours Lecture 3. Minimum of 80 Clinical Rotation In Physician's Office or Urgent Care Center 4. Or A Minimum of 1 Year of MA Experience in Physician's Office 5. High School Diploma or G.E.D 6. Successful Completion of Certification Exam
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
7. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
8. Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT(AAB))
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
9. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
A Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) performs routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices and clinics of physicians running smoothly.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
10. Patient Care Technician
1. Completion of an Approved Patient Care Technician Program 2. Minimum of 80 Hours Lecture 3. Minimum of 80 Clinical Rotation In Phlebotomy 4. Must Be Certified Nursing Assistant 5. High School Diploma or G.E.D 6. Successful Completion of Certification Exam
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
11. Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (NHA)
A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant is an unlicensed multi-skilled healthcare practitioner who is competent in both a wide variety of clinical and laboratory procedures, as well as many administrative roles. A CCMA may perform some or all of the following duties. However, they are not limited to just these responsibilities:Interviews patients and measures vitals signsPrepares treatment roomsGives injections or treatments and performs venipuncture and laboratory testsCleans and sterilizes equipment.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
12. Nationally Certified Medical Office Assistant (NCMOA)
Medical Office Assistants typically perform administrative duties for health care providers in office settings, although some may also perform basic clinical tasks (as allowed by state laws). Their responsibilities will vary by employer, but may include answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing medical records, completing insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, and handling billing or bookkeeping.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
13. Certified EKG Technician (CET)
A Certified EKG Technician (CET) produces recording or electromotive variations in a patient's heart muscle, using electrocardiograph machine, to provide data for the diagnosis of heart ailments.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
What is the best certification for a medical laboratory assistant?
The best medical laboratory assistant certification is Medical Assistant. The Medical Assistant is awarded by the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this medical laboratory assistant certification:
- To become a certified Medical Assistant, you need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 1 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for medical laboratory assistants?
The most in-demand medical laboratory assistant certification is Medical Assistant based on all active job postings. Having this medical laboratory assistant certification will give you access to more medical laboratory assistant jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a medical laboratory assistant career and salary?
The Medical Assistant certification will help you to secure a medical assistant position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A medical assistant's average salary is $32,314 whereas medical laboratory assistants make an average salary of $34,673.
The most common combination of medical laboratory assistant certifications include: Medical Assistant, Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).
Online courses for medical laboratory assistants to earn certifications
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